Yeah I think the movie was actually more aimed toward the people who were kids when watching Toy Story and "grew up with the franchise". So, heading off to college or whatever, here's a much heavier story with much more adult themes as a send-off of sorts.

Cythraul:Maybe it's a rather simple explanation? Not every artist stays in their prime forever, ya know. It could just be that the muse has started to get bored and has fled back to Arcadia.

Shostie:DamnYankees: Cythraul: Brave has been released?! I was wondering what was taking them so long. Was it any good? I was hoping after what I heard about Cars 2, Brave would be awesome.

Its not. Brave is the very apex of "eh, its ok".

My wife really liked it. I haven't gotten around to seeing it.

This may be one of those situations where, if you have a penis, you won't "get it," or something.

I wasn't pleased with it either. It would have been better if the triplets had been taken away or put in grave danger, and Merida was the one who braved incredible odds and harrowing ordeals to bring them safe to the kingdom, instead of that touchy-feely mother/daughter crap they foisted on us.

Except for Toy Story 3, you mean. In fact, they've released six films in the last five years of which one was bad (Cars 2) and one was middling (Brave), the rest being generally regarded as excellent. I'm sure you will say "a few" means "two" thus preserving your correctness.

Except for Toy Story 3, you mean. In fact, they've released six films in the last five years of which one was bad (Cars 2) and one was middling (Brave), the rest being generally regarded as excellent. I'm sure you will say "a few" means "two" thus preserving your correctness.

Ratatouille was a terrible bog-standard kids movie. Toy Story 3 had the same plot as Toy Story 2.

Why are they good:1. Good writing, in that there is a solid base story, witty dialogue, and multi-level humor without being cheap (See: Shrek fart jokes)2. Excellent voice acting, and not because they're doing silly voices, but also because the actors are playing roles not themselves. (See: Bee Movie for Jerry Seinfeld and Patrick Warburton playing basically their Seinfeld characters)3. Starting with a good movie before making it a kids' movie/product tie-in. This was Cars 2's major downfall: they focused on the most marketable toy and added a bunch of other products to hawk in the movie.4. Stunning visuals and attention to detail, which gives parents subjected to endless re-watches more to appreciate.

And that's why, as a parent I don't mind re-watching any Toy Story or How to Train Your Dragon (not Pixar) or Tangled (not Pixar) but other movies just grind my freaking gears and are removed from the rotation.

Cythraul:I kept reading how a lot of Scots couldn't watch the film because the accents made them cringe.

I just watched Pierce Brosnan's Robinson Curusoe from 1997. For an Irish/Englishman, that was a painfully bad Scottish accent.

Anyway, Pixar hires minimally competant writers, but that's still better than Dreamworks, which doesn't seem to hire writers at all. I don't know why anyone would greenlight a 100 million dollar movie without a great script.

I thought Brave was all right, but my wife absolutely loved it. I have to give them credit, it's the kind of film that I've never seen before, focusing so much on the Mother/Daughter bond. It was a bold move, and white it didn't resonate with me, props to them for taking a chance. And not just remaking Mulan.

Of course, the animated film that got me this year was Wreck It Ralph. Saw that movie twice and both times it got me in a way that Pixar really hasn't the past few years. When a movie makes me laugh out loud and tear up in the same minute, it's a great film. (Even the short at the beginning, with the paper airplanes, was utterly fantastic and right up there with any Pixar short.) I really want to see Wreck It Ralph win best animated film next year at the Oscars.

I am a bit nervous about the Monsters Inc. Prequel. It's going to be cute and funny, but can they really top the emotional climax of the first one? Will they be able to match the absolute emotional awesome that is the final moment when Sully peeks his head in the door? It still gets me every time.

kumanoki:ManateeGag: Elandriel: Their writing staff appears to have taken a hit of some kind. Toy Story 3 for example was ridiculously good. Lately though their stories have been much more...uninspiring...

Toy Story 3 was a little heavy for little kids though.

I don't think you're giving little kids enough credit. They deserve to be left weeping uncontrollably at the end of the movie just like the rest of us.

But little kids won't be. They don't have the frame of reference for the ending to have that impact. Adults, and older kids, sure. But your average 4 year old won't be getting a lump in their throat.

Good? They jump the shark in every single one of their movies. Its like they started animating, realizing their idea will last about 30 minutes of screen time, and so they have to turn the plot on it head....